Jordan Zumwalt’s father, Rick, rented a motor home this week for UCLA’s pivotal game at Arizona State.

Phoenix is the ultimate tailgate location for the Zumwalts.

Jordan is expected to make his third start for UCLA at middle linebacker. He’s a true freshman, and he’ll be following in his father’s footsteps in the same city.

Rick Zumwalt played linebacker for the Sun Devils from 1986-88. He played on the 1987 team that beat Michigan in the Rose Bowl, and his former teammate, Patrick Taylor, is Jordan’s godfather.

The family used to pile in a motor home, which they eventually sold, for Arizona State games.

“Those were my favorite trips ever,” Jordan said. “The motor home was always fun. You’re with the family. It’s a good environment. There’s nothing negative about it. My brother and I would wrestle around. We’d tease our sisters. We played Scrabble and would chat about life.”

Even though Rick secretly hoped Jordan would sign with his alma mater, he couldn’t be more proud of his son’s instant impact at UCLA, which is in the midst of a disappointing season.

The Bruins (4-6, 2-5 Pac-10) must win their final two games, starting with Arizona State on Friday, to become bowl eligible.

The father-son bond goes beyond the wins and losses.

“He loves it,” Jordan said of his dad. “Now that he’s not playing anymore, he gets to live it through me. Any time I have a problem, I’ll call him. He’s a wise man. He’s been through it all. He helps me after every game.”

Jordan’s mother, Nanette, notices her son is just like his dad by the way he walks on the football field. She doesn’t need to see the No. 35 to know it’s him.

Jordan has 25 tackles – most of any newcomer on defense – and moved into the starting role when Patrick Larimore’s season ended because he needs shoulder surgery. UCLA decided not to redshirt him long ago, setting up a Zumwalt reunion in Arizona.

“I’m rooting for my kid,” Rick said. “This whole thing has been about him and how I can support him. He’s a great fit. Being from ASU, it would’ve been nice if he played there, but he wanted to stay close to home.”

The elder Zumwalt still has his jersey from the 1987 Rose Bowl in which Arizona State upended Michigan 22-15. He was signed as a free agent by Atlanta and the Los Angeles Raiders and participated in preseason games, but didn’t catch on with either team. He spent a season with the Sacramento Surge of the World Football League.

Football runs through the family, and Jordan Zumwalt’s younger brother, Erick, who plays for Edison of Huntington Beach, is a senior cornerback.

Jordan Zumwalt loves what he does on the football field.

“That’s why I’m here,” he said. “I’m comfortable.”

Last week, after a night football practice, Zumwalt spotted a conference room with reporters waiting for UCLA basketball coach Ben Howland as well as Bruins players Josh Smith and Reeves Nelson.

Dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, Zumwalt walked in, sat in front of the microphone and started playfully chatting about his noteworthy hoops game.

“You should have seen my 3-point shot,” Zumwalt said. “And we’re going to put a whooping on ….”

The gig is up when you don’t know your next opponent.

Zumwalt’s friends, however, tease him about his lack of prowess on the basketball court. But they can’t knock his moxie on the field, where he makes the defensive calls.

Defensive back Rahim Moore is the leader of the Bruins and believes Zumwalt will be the next one.

“Don’t be a freshman,” Moore always tells him.

Zumwalt can’t act like one on the field. Moore said Zumwalt dropped into pass coverage when he first saw him in 7-on-7 drills as though he was a veteran and couldn’t believe it.

“I told him when he first came here that he could be like Brian Urlacher,” Moore said. “His whole mentality, and the way he hits, that’s what you need. He can be as great as he wants to be. I talk to him every day to share some words of wisdom. He can take us to the promised land. Even though I’m the most experienced guy, I tell him: `This is your huddle. I get the plays from you.’ He’s orchestrating it to everybody.”

Zumwalt talks to his father, a police officer in Huntington Beach, almost every day.

They can share stories about homework, too.

Rick Zumwalt is back in school and is two classes shy of earning his doctorate in psychology.

“It’s inspiring,” Jordan said. “I’ll come home and he’ll be sititng on the computer at 2a.m. doing homework.”

Nanette Zumwalt is the CEO of Hired Power, a company that deals with addiction treatment for alcoholism and other problems. Jordan went to the center with his mom a couple of times.

“It’s a (bad) place to be at in your life. It’s the lowest place in life,” Zumwalt said. “It’s motivational. I don’t ever want to be there. It gives me more motivation to work harder. It’s like, these people are here, so why don’t I give my best to be the best I can be?”